Hanoi is Asia's top cultural destination

Hoan Kiem Lake walking street is home to many street art activities.

British magazine Time Out has announced the 20 most prominent cultural destinations in the world in 2025. The results are based on a survey of 18,500 people around the world about cultural experiences where they live, quality and level of investment. The magazine's editors then selected the 20 cities with the highest votes.

The French capital Paris topped the global list. The capital Hanoi ranked 9th, also holding the number one position in Asia, above other cities in the region such as Beijing, Jakarta, and Dehli.

According to Time Out , cultural experiences in Hanoi are friendly and affordable. 82% of locals rate cultural investment as affordable, with many experiences free.

Visitors can visit the walking street near the Old Quarter to enjoy free street performances by string artists and immerse themselves in the music of emerging local bands at Hanoi Rock City. Then, just a few hours’ drive from the center, visitors can experience cultural parties in the suburbs, where artists perform fashion shows using products made from traditional local fabrics.

"Hanoi is a city of captivating beauty, with a history of more than 1,000 years. As one writer once wrote, Hanoi's charm lies in its modernity and youthfulness, but it is also inseparable from the past," Time Out wrote.

Surprisingly, no Japanese cities made the list. China's capital Beijing came in 11th, standing out for its unique blend of tradition and modernity. People particularly loved the National Center for the Performing Arts and Tiananmen Square.

Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, ranked 13th. The city has long been creative, with major museums and community-engaging exhibition spaces such as Dia.Lo.Gue Artspace, Jakarta Art Hub and M Bloc Space, as well as annual festivals. It is also considered a low-cost city, comparable to Hanoi.

The remaining Asian city on the list is Delhi, ranked 14th. 89% of residents rated the city's cultural offerings as "better and more inclusive". If there's one must-visit spot, it's the newly opened Humayun's Tomb Museum.

According to Time Out , cultural cities are no longer limited to ancient civilizations, but include new experiences in young, vibrant countries. Cultural experiences are not only the spaces of museums, art galleries, theaters, but also community activities, festivals, street activities, or experiences in nature.

List of 20 cities includes:

1. Paris (France)	6. Barcelona (Spain)	11. Beijing (China)	16. Amsterdam (Netherlands)
2. Florence (Italy)	7. Chicago (USA)	12. Tbilisi (Georgia)	17. Marrakech (Morocco)
3. Edinburgh (Scotland)	8. Lisbon (Portugal)	13. Jakarta (Indonesia)	18. Vienna (Austria)
4. Mexico City (Mexico)	9. Hanoi (Vietnam)	14. Delhi (India)	19. Prague (Czech Republic)
5. Sydney (Australia)	10. Cape Town (South Africa)	15. Medellin (Colombia)	20. Abu Dhabi (UAE)